Anyone remember these two lightweight contenders of late 70's early 80's? They were two slicksters that I just loved to watch in those glory days of the lighter divisions. Viruet twice went the distance with Duran(who also fought his brother Adolfo), while Fernandez won a decision from Argüello almost frustrating him to death and lasted until the 13 or 14:th against Duran. Yet both were later taken out in rapid fashion by a pair of up and coming young sluggers. Fernandez by Rodolfo Gato Gonzalez(II) and Viruet by Chapo Rosario. Both were the kind of boxer/spoilers that while never achieving greatness themselves can make the greats they fight look like mere mortals. Fighting them must have been somewhat like trying to go to sleep when there's a fly buzzing around in the room. Even if you can't see it you no that it's there and while you know it can't hurt you it's so goddamn annoying. Neither of them won a title unlike their contemporary Saoul Mamby, another of the same kind. I seem to remember that they both were NY golden gloves champs. Anyone knows if that's correct? These kind of fighters doesn't seem to be around nowadays which makes the lives of those aspiring for greatness considerably easier.
The Viruet brothers! Two fighters I've become recently interested in and readily dug into looking for footage. Edwin had a unbelievable chin up until the final two fights of his career. Pissed a prime Duran off just as much as anyone had and then proceeded to go 25 rounds against Duran without ever even being off his feet. Also brought De Jesus to a 10 round SD. His brother Adolfo wasn't as slick as Edwin as far as I know, but he was even tougher. Adolfo's chin never gave out against equally good competition, including a combined 20 rounds against Leonard and Duran. Adolfo was the second fighter to take a 13-0 Donald Curry the distance as well, and that was in Adolfo's final fight.
I remember when Arguello first stepped up to lightweight and Fernandez outboxed him, quite an upset at the time.
Villomar Fernandez was such a clever fighter. He fought strictly within his own limitations, and was indeed a buzzing fly against everyone he fought. He was sp good against Arguello the first time, and even gave AA trouble in the rematch, and he also posed problems for Duran even earlier.
Vilomar probably got robbed against Howard Davis Jr, and for a 2-3 year span, was a serious threat.Even though Edwin lasted those two fights against Roberto, the punch that Edwin Rosario caught him with was legit.
I was absolutely convinced Vilomar won that one, and so did all of the viewers I was watching it with. He also pushed Kenty, but chronic inactivity cost him dearly in sharpness and stamina, even with his outstanding training habits. Ed Viruet changed his style completely, and became extremely aggressive for his three fight knockout streak leading up to Rosario. In televised interviews following these stopppages, he cut some great, entertaining promos. Too bad Chapo cut him down so soon, because he was antagonistically fun to listen to. (No wonder Duran walked up to him and punched him in the face while waiting for the decision following El Cholo's match with brother Adolfo.) Put Roberto and the Viruet brothers in a room together today, and it would probably be Joe Kapp-Angelo Mosca all over again. ("Injun Joe" belongs with Tobin Rote, Bobby Layne and Sammy Baugh, among the baddest asses to ever play QB on the gridiron.)
Vilomar Fernadez had big win on undercard of Foreman -Frazier rematch in New York, beat top California lightweight, can't remember name. very tough fight. He had no punch though, against Duran he did not have power to hold him off and had to run whole bout. Both were golden glove co champiions with their brothers
